Valve



Sept. 19, 1939. L. o. GUNDERSON El AL 2,173,352

VALVE Filed Oct. 20, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Lew/v 0. Gan/052cc.

36 3/ 4 37 6 044 Cane/ca. V 5 H M5 5.

Patented Sept. 19, 1939 VALVE been 0. Gunderson and Oland w.

Garrick, Ohicago, Ill., assil'nora to Electro-Ohemical-Engineering Gorporation,

'tion of Delaware Chicago, 111., a corpora- Application October 20, 1937, Serial No. 170,031 Y 10 Claims. 137-403) This invention relates to liquid actuated valves especially adapted i'or discharging impure boiler water and entrained solids from operating steam boilers without loss ofsteam from the boiler.

- .More specifically this inventionrelates to water actuated steam. valves or traps adapted to rapidly and automatically discharge impure boiler gater from operating steam boilers without loss of steam from the boiler.

1 In our copending application entitled: fAutomatic boiler water conditioner and blow-off system", Serial 104,760, flied October 9, 1936, now

Patent No. 2,132,028, granted Oct. 4, 1938, 'we

I have described and claimed an apparatus for ter in an operating steam boiler, boiler water that is above the normal level oi water in the boiler and is contaminated with impurities such as foam forming ingredients and-the like. This collected water is drained from the'boiler and" boiler. to float an open topped bucket or container mounted in the chamber. The bucket will float in the chamber until the liquid in the chamber exceeds a predetermined level whereupon the liquid will flow into the bucket and sink the sameto the bottom of the chamber; This floating and sinking of the bucket controls a small pilot valve which functions to effect the-opera tion of two larger auxiliary valves communicating with a discharge port. One of the auxiliary valves Joins the liquid inlet from. the boiler directl'y with the discharge port while the other of said valves joins the float chamber with the discharge port, thus making possible a. quick emptying of water from the bucket so that the same may again float in the. float chamber and operate the pilot valve to close the auxiliary valves.

The water actuated valves of this invention 50 thus only open to discharge liquid and will automatically close before steam from the boiler reaches the valve outlet.

' fin important feature of this invention in- .clu es a pair of opposed pistons slidably mounted 5min an open ended cylinder formed in the dispassageway joining the collecting, directly from the main body of watop of the boiler water in an operating steam charge port of the valve casing for opening n closing the auxiliary valves.

In one modification of the inventionthe bucket operated pilot valve opens and closes a bleeder space in the cylinder be- 6 tween the, pistons with the float chamber so that when the bucket sinks to open the pilot'valve this space between the pistons is subjected to boiler pressure and the pistons will, 01' course, be urged toward the ends of the cylinder to open 10 the auxiliary valves. 1

In another modification of the invention the space in the cylinder between the pistons is always in communication with the float chamber and the pistons are thus subjected to boiler pres- 18 sure and are urged toward the ends of the cylinder to close the auxiliary valves. The bucket operated pilot valve functions to open and close a bleeder passageway joining the space in the cylinder between the pistons with the discharge 20 port so that when the bucket sinks in the float chamber to open the pilot valve, the boiler pressure in the space between the pistons is released and the auxiliary valves are forced open by pressure from within the boiler to rapidly discharge water' in the float chamber and water collected from the boiler..

It is then an object of this invention to provide a liquid actuated steam valve or trap'for discharging impure water from operating boilers without discharge of steam from the boiler.

1 Ai'urther object of this invention is to provide automatic water actuated valves for blowing down steam boilers. H A further object oi. this invention is to provide an automatic valve controlled by the floating I and sinking of a water container in the valve. Another object of this invention is to provide a valve with piston operated auxiliary valves controlled by a. float operated pilot valve. 40

Another object of this invention is to provide a valve for automatically discharging impure boiler water from an operating steam boiler that cannot discharge steam from the boiler. A further object of this invention is to provide an automatic valve for blowing down an operating steam boiler that is actuated by impure water collected -from the top of the boiler water in the boiler.

Another object of this invention is to provide a steam trap having duplex auxiliary valves therein controlledfby a float operated pilot valve.

Other and further objects 01' this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the annexed sheets of drawings which disclose two preferred embodiments of the invention.

On the drawings:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary diagrammatic side elevational view, with a part broken away and shown in cross section, of a locomotive boiler equipped with water actuated valves according to this invention, one of the preferred forms of valves being shown in solid lines and another preferred form of thevalve being shown in dotted lines.

Figure 1-A is a fragmentary side elevational view of a by-pass piping arrangement for one of the water actuated valves shown in Figure 1.

Figure 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view, with parts in elevation, of a water actuated valve according to this invention.

Figure 2-A is a vertical cross-sectional view of a housing that can be used for the top portion of the valve shown in Figure 2.

Figure 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view, with parts in elevation, of another form of water actuated valve according to this invention.

Figure 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view, with parts in elevation, showing the valve illustrated in Figure 3 in open position.

As shown on the drawings:

The invention will be hereinafter specifically described as applied to a locomotive boiler but it should be understood that the valves of this invention have wide usage and are adapted to operate on all types of boilers.

In Figure 1, the reference numeral I designates generally a locomotive including the usual boiler shell metal sheets l2 defining a flrebox l3, steam outlet l4, steam dome l5, and engineer's cab l6.

-As is described in our copending application Serial 104,760, a basin or collecting pan I1 is suspended from the boiler shell Hi the steam space of the boiler between the steam outlet I4 and the primary evaporation zone of the boiler so that it will intercept any excessive foam development in the boiler that might otherwise continue towards the steam outlet l4 and be entrained with the steam. The basin has the top edge thereof above the normal level of water in the boiler but below the level of foam or "concentrated boiler water formed on top of the o boiler water during operation of the boiler so as to receive this foam or concentrated water therein. The foam or concentrated water contains impurities dissolved and entrained therein that cause excessive foaming and ine'flicient operation of the boiler. A removal of these impurities is thus desirable.

In using one form of valve according to this invention a pipe l3 enters the boiler and extends through a side wall of the basin II. A siphon leg I9 is secured to the end of the pipe l8 and extends downwardly toward the bottom of the basin II. The pipe l3 drains the concentrated water from the'basin l1 into a valve according to this invention.

A blow-off valve 2| communicating with the lower portion of the boiler discharges into a pipe 22 communicating with the top of the valve 23. Concentrated water and sludge water entering the valve through pipes l3 and 22 are discharged through a discharge pipe 23 extending along the side of the locomotive as shown. The pipe 23 is secured to a T coupling 24 one leg of which receives a tube 23 extending into the cab l3 to operate a blow-off indicating gauge 23. The other leg of the T 24 receives a pipe 21 for conand held rigidly in veying the concentrated water and sludge to a steam separator 23 mounted on top of the locomotive l0. Any steam that may have entered the discharge pipe 23 from the blow-oil 2| or that may flash from the hot boiler water is separated from the water and escapes through an opening 23 to the atmosphere. The water and sludge is drained from the steam separator 28 through a pipe 33 extending to the bottom of the locomotive. where it is discharged with harmless force along the road bed. o

r If it is desired to increase the rate of drainage of the concentrated water from the basin I'I without increasing the size of the valve 20, a by-pass arrangement such as is shown in Figure 1-A may be used. In this arrangement piping and couplings designated generally by the reference numeral I la Join the end of the pipe It with the end of the pipe 22 adjacent the valve 20,. .A check valve or one-way valve C is mounted in the piping Ila. The valve C only permits flow from |8a into the top of the valve 20 and automatically closes to prevent flow from pipe 22 into pipe i8. With this by-pass arrangement liquid from pipe I; will actuate valve 20 to open the valve to discharge liquid into pipe 23. With the valve 20 open, liquid from pipe It can flow through the bottom of the valve 23 into the discharge line 23 as well as through I31; and through the top of the valve 23 with sludge from pipe 22 into the discharge line- 23. Any desired proportioning of the amount of flow through the bottom of the valve 23 and through the piping |3a can be obtained by regulation of the size of the by-pa'ss piping as well as the size of valve openings in the valve 23. Thus 'a small capacity valve 23 can take care of a rapid draining of the basin Structure of valve 20 The valve 20, as shown in Figure 2, comprises a casing composed of a bottom cup-shaped casting 3|, a flat cover 32 for the bottom casting 3|, and

a top casting 33 secured on the cover 32. The bottom casting 3| defines a cup-shaped float chamber 34 and has laterally extending flanges 35 on the back side thereof provided with holes 36 through the corners of the flanges for receiving bolts to secure the valve casing to the outside of the boiler shell II as shown in Figure 1. In the central portion of the float chamber 34, the casting 3| has an upwardly extending-lug 31 formed on the bottom wall of the casting for a purpose to be hereinafter described.

An inlet port 38 is formed through the top of the casting 3| for receiving the pipe l3 therein.

The inlet port 38 communicates with the float chamber 34.

A drain plug 39 may be threaded through the bottom portion of the casting 3| for cleaning out the float chamber 34.

The cover member 32 is tightly secured on the member 3| at the top thereof and a gasket 43 may be interposed between the member 3| and the cover 32 for sealing the float chamber 34.

The cover member 32 has a downwardly extending leg 4| disposed in front of the inlet port a in spaced relation therefrom so that liquid from the pipe l3 will be deflected toward the bottom of the float chamber 34.

A threaded bore 42 extends through the central portion of the cover 32 for a purpose to be here-v inafter described.

The top casting 33 is securely bolted on the cover 32 as by means of bolts 43 and is sealed on. 13

or the cylinder 41 are in al nment with the bore 32- and the inlet 42 through the cover member port 4| of themember 33. respectively.

Valve seats 4| and II are mounted in. the discharge chamber 41 and are threaded respectively into the bore 42 of the cover 32 and the inlet port 4| oi the member ll.

A pair of oppositely disposed pistons II and II are slidably mounted in the cylinder 48.

The pistons ii and I! have central apertures for receiving therethrough hollow plug mempistons. Washers I1 bers 53 and '4 which are threaded in auxiliary valves BI and II draw the valves against the can be interposed between the plugs 83 and I4 and the respective valves SI and ll. The valve II is adapted to seat on the valve seat 4| while the valve 58 is adapted to seat on the valve seat il.

The valve I! has a passageway ll through the central portion thereof while the valve 86 has a bleeder hole ll cut th'erein communicating with a transverse passageway ll joining the cylinder side of the valve with the discharge chamber 41. The mouth beveled as at Irate provide a seat for a needle valve head I. p

The space 82 in the cylinder 48 between the pistons II and I the passage il in the valve II with the float chamber 34 and when the needle valve II is unseated from the seat 59a, this space I! also com-- the bleeder passages II and municates through Cl with discharge chamber 41.

The valveil has a hollow shank receiving the end ofa rod opposite side walls of the shank portion la have portion "a elongated slots 83 therein and a wrist pin l4 disposed transversely throughthe end of the rod 2a extends into the slots CI for loosely mounts end of the rod. The valve 6| thus has a limited longitudinal movement on the endbf the to be hereinafter described.

The rod 82a extends from the valve ii through the passage 54 of thevalve II in spaced relation therefrom and into the'float chamber container or bucket 45 mounted in the float chamber '4. Nuts 68 disposed on opposite sides of the fixedly securing the rod to the bucket.

A hollow tube 81 is disposed around the rod "a in the float chamber 34 in spaced relation therefrom and extends into the bucket 45. The top end of the tube 81 is threaded into the bore '42 of the cover member 32, so that the tube is rigidly suspended from the top of the float chamber 34.

to maintain the rod in The bearing member II has passageways 4| 7 therethrough permitting. the passage of liquid 5.

through the tube.

ports .48 and 48. An open .ended. lsformed integral with the member I cylinder -48 of the passageway ll is I! thus communicates through 2a therein. The j rod 42a for a purpose."

34 whereit is secured at its other end in the bottom of an opentop' bottom of the bucket 65; can be threaded on the end of the rod 42a for lla. Pressure in the space A bearing member 68 is mounted in the tube 1 for slidably receiving the rod 62a therethrough the center of the tube.

The bottom end of the tube is spaced from the bottom of the float chamber 34 so that the bucket chamber 84- through the inlet port 38..

A one-piece casting 33a (Fig. 2--A) can be used in place of the cover I! and top casting 38 in the Since the space 41 in the cylinder 4.- between the pistons II and I! communicates with the float chamber 34, which chamber, in turn, is under boiler pressure since it communicates with the interior of the-boiler through the pipe It, the pistons -are urged toward the ends of the. I to seat the valves II and it on the valveseats-4! and I0. Undersuch conditions the valvejl is closed and neither sludge water from the blowoi! 2i nor iin'pure boiler water from the basin l1 can-be discharged through the discharge pipe 18. v I

However when the impure boiler water in the- 11 reaches a level above the top of the siphon leg II. this water is siphoned oil through the pipe it into the-float chamber I4 and the level of waterin the float chamber is raised above the tively large-area of the valves 66 and It aresub- Jected toboiler pressure-these valves will move into the-cylinder to be .unseated fromftheir seats 40' and II and 1 us join the float chamber 34 with the discharge chamber 41 as well as am the inlet port 45 with thedischarge cham- Sludge from ..the pipe 22 will thus be disharg'ed into the discharge port 41' while impure water in the bucket I! will be blown up. through the tube into the discharge chamber 41. Both streams of-water are drained from the discharge" chamber 41 through. the discharge I it will remain open as long pipe 23. 4 v. The valves and 'as the bucket .5 is fllled with water. However, as soon as the basin i1 is drained below the bot-' tom of the: siphon leg 19, the water supply o the float chambe'r I4 ceases and the bucket OI will be rapidly emptied by the boiler pressure forcing water therein upwardlythrough the tube 41. As soon as the buoyancy of the bucket is 65. reestablished by removal of water therefrom, the

A float chamber to f seat the-needle valve I against the valve seat I! betweenthe pistons then immediately builds up to boiler pressure and forces the valve's I! and it toward the ends valves against the The leg ll of the cover member 02 prevents water entering the float chamber [from flowing directly into the bucket 00. l

v operating the valve.

- Figure 1, a pipe or 0| therein communicating with the The lost motion permitted by movement of the pin 04- in the elongated slot 60 of the needle valve shank. Bla permits asmall movement of the bucket 00 in the float chamber 04 without -This is desirable to prevent the valve from being too sensitive, and furthermore insures a quick seating and unseating of the needle valve 0| since the bucket will already have been in motion before the pin 00 either pushes or pulls the needle valve 0i to seat or unseat the valve.

Construction of valve 80 In Figure 1 there is disclosed in dotted lines another form of valve 00 that can be used to replace the valve 20 described above. As shown in tube I0 supplies the impure boiler water collected in the basin II to the top of the valve 00. The valve discharges into a charge pipe 23' onthe outside of the boiler communicating with the pipe 21. In installations using a valve 00, no provision is made for the automatic blowing down of the lower portion of the boiler since the valve 00 does not have a connection with the blow-oi! 2|.

The flow of liquid through the discharge 23 or 20' is indicated to the engineer by the indicator 20. The indicator 20in the engineer's cab shows when the basin I1 is being drained.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the valve '0 comprises a two-piece casing including an open topped cup shaped member II having laterally extending flanges 02 on the back side thereof provided with holes 00 through the corners of the flanges to permit bolting side of the boiler shell II as shown in Figure 1.

A drain plug 04 can be threaded through the bottom of the member 0|.

The member 0| deflnes a float chamber 05.

A top member 00 is secured on the top portion of the member II. The member 80 has an inner wall 01 extending from one side of the member 00 into spaced relation from the other side there- -of and a similar bottom wall 00 in spaced rela tion from the wall 01. The walls 81 and 00 are connected by a cylindrical side wall 00.

The bottom wall 00 has a downturned lip or flange 00 extending into the chamber 05 of the member 0| in spaced relation from the side walls of the members 0| and 00.

The member 00 therefore has a compartment float chamber 00 and a separate compartment 02 separated from the float chamber 05.

A boss 08 is threaded through the top of the member 00 and receives in threaded relation therein theend of the pipe I8.

The-compartment 92 has an outlet port 00 therein receiving the end of the discharge pipe The top wall of the compartment 02 has a valve seat 00 threaded therein for receving the head 00 of a poppet valve 91. The stem 90 of the poppet valve 01 extends into the compartment 92.

The bottom'wall 00. of the compartment has a boss 00 threaded therethrough and provided with a valve seat I00 for receiving the head IOI of a second poppet valve I02 having a stem I03 projecting into the compartment 02. The poppet disof the member 0| onto the outvalves 91 and I02 thus open outwardly from the compartment 02.

An open ended cylinder I00 is mounted in the compartment 82 and formedintegral with the side wall 00 of the compartment. The cylinder I00 has oppositely disposed pistons I05 and I00 loosely fltted therein.

The top casting 00 is thus identical with the casting 23a for the valve 20 except that in casting 88, the compartment 0| joins the end of pipe I0 with the float chamber 00 whereas in casting "a, there is provided the wall W dividing the compartment and preventing flow of liquid from the top to the bottom of the valve. The same pattern can thus be used for forming the top castings for both valves with a mere change in the cores used.

ceive a needle valve head 0 in seating relation thereon.

The head IOI of the poppet valve I02 has a cylindrical extension I ll receiving the needle valve IIO therein.

A tube H2 is threaded into the boss 00 and extends into the float chamber 00. The cylindrical extension of the head I0l of the poppet valve is in'slidable engagement with the interior of the tube H2 and the boss 90 and has a pinrality of passageways such as 3 permitting flow of liquid between the extension III and the tube and boss. Alternatively the cylindrical extension III can be spaced from the tube and boss and have laterally extending flns or lugs in slidable engagement therewith.

The needle valve head IIO has a hollow shank portion Ill receiving loosely therein the end of a rod H5, The shank III of the valve head IIO has oppositely disposed elongated slots H6 therein for receiving the ends of a wrist pin II'I extending through the rod H5 whereby the valve head H0 is carried on the end 5 but can move longitudinally on the rod end within the limits of the slots 0.

The rod II! extends axially through the tube I I2 and is secured at its bottom end to the bottom of a stamped metal container or bucket II! mounted in the float chamber 85. For the purpose of uniting the bottom end of the rod I IS with the bucket IIO a nut H9 can be threaded into spaced relation from the end of the rod on the inside of the bucket Ill. -A rigidifying metal plate I20, also serving as a buoyancy adjusting weight, is mounted around the rod H5 beneath the nut II! and the end of the rod extending beneath the bottom of the bucket I I8 receives nuts I2I thereon to securely clamp the bottom of the bucket and the rigidifying plate between the nuts 0 and I2I.

-The tube II2 may have centrally apertured discs I22 secured therein or integral therewith in spaced relation along the length of the tube. Bushings I23 are carried in the discs I22 for slldably receiving the rod H5 in bearing relation therewith to maintain the rod in the center of the tube. The discs I22 have bores I24 therethrough to permit passage of liquid through the tube. 4

Operation of value so bucket III and urge the needle valve head III against the seat I thus closing the passage I00 and separating the space in between the cum Ill and I II from the float chamber. Under such conditions the poppet valves 01 and I02 will be closed since the heads of these valves are subjected to boiler pressure existing in the inlet-compartment 0i and the float chamber 00.

When impure boiler water collected in the basin I1 rises abovethe top of the siphon leg II this water will be siphoned out oi the basin through the pipe I0w into the inlet compartment II or the valve 00 from which compartment it will flow into the float chamber thus eventually raising the liquid level in the float chamber above the top oi the bucket I I0. liquid will hen 1111 the bucket to destroy its buoyancy and cause the same to sink to the bottom in Figure 4.

With a sinking of the bucket the rod III pulls the needle valve head away from the seat Ill and thus opens the passage I00 to place the space I" between the pistons in communication with the float chamber. Since the float chamber is under boiler pressure the space I01 'will likewise be under boiler pressure and this p'ressure'exerted against the relatively large area'of the heads of the pistons I and I00 will move the pistons toward the ends of the cylinder I04 thus unseating the poppet valve heads 00 and I0I.

An opening of the poppet valve 01, as shown in Figure 4, Joins the inlet chamber 0| with the discharge chamber 02 and liquid from the pipe II' can directly flow into the discharge pipe The opening of thepoppet valve I02, as shown in Figure 4, joins the interior of the float chamber with the discharge chamber and liquid in the bucket H0 is blown by the boiler pressure up through the tube II2 into the discharge chamber for drainage through the discharge pipe 20'.

When the basin I1 is the bottom of the siphon leg I0 to the float chamberis cut oil the bucket will be discharged through the tube II2 to substantially empty the bucket whereupon the same will again float to the top of the float chamber and seat the needle valve head IIO. This seals the space I" from the float chamber and cuts off the boiler pressure in the space. However the heads IM and 06 of the poppet valves I02 and 91 respectively are still subjected to boiler pressure and are forced toward their seats. The liquid in the space I01 can bleed past the pistons I05 and I06 as'shown in Figure 4 into the-discharge chamber 82 thus permitting the'pistons to slide into the cylinder I04. The boilerpressure the liquid supply and the liquid-in thus closes the poppet valves 00 and I 02 as soon as the liquid supply tothe float chamber is cut oil and before any appreciable amounts of steam can be discharged through the valves.

Summary From the above descriptions it should be understood that the valves of this invention comprise casings defining float chambers for buckets or other floats adapted to float in liquid in the chamber until the liquid rises above a predetermined level, whereupon it will enter the buckets to sink the same.

The buckets control the operation 01' small needle or pilot valves which pilot valves, in turn. cause the function of two larger auxiliary valves. One of the auxiliary valves increases the rate of same time the valves oi oi the float chamber as shown drained to a level below I termined amount response to water or liquid flow and quickly close in response to the cessation of the wateror liquid flow to prevent the discharge of steam through the valves. The valves efllciently accomplish the. rapid discharge of liquid through a relatively small valve when the valve is open and at the close upon the cessation 01' water flow to the valve.

The valve 20 can have a one-piece top casting such as Ila instead of the cover 02 and top casting 03. Likewise, the auxiliaryvalve and piston arrangement of valve 00 can be used in valve 20. Further, the auxiliary valve and piston arrangement of valve 20 can be used in valve 80.

The by-pass Ila shown in Figure l-A on valve 20 can be used in systems where large amounts or water are collected in the basin I'I and'where it is desired to have a high discharge rate for this water. The valve 00 itself has a high discharge capacity tor liquid irombasin I'I without having the liquid flow through the float chamber.

We are aware that many changes may be made and numerous details of construction may be varied through a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention, and we,

therefore, do not purpose limiting the patent granted hereon otherwise than necessitated by the prior art. v We claim as our invention:'

this invention rapidly 1. A liquid operated automatic valve comprising a housing having an inlet compartment and a discharge compartment, a pair of auxiliary valves separating said compartments, means defining a piston chamber in said housing, a pair of opposed pistons slidable in said chamber 'for operating said auxiliary valves, means defining a passageway joining the space in the piston chamber between thepistons with theinlet compartment, a bucket in said inlet compartment adapted to float therein and receive liquid therefrom and a pilot valve operated by said bucket for varying the pressure in the piston chamber between the pistons to slide the pistons and open the auxiliary valves thereby joining the inlet and outlet compartments. 1

2. A liquid operated automatic valve comprising a casing having a high pressure side and a low pressure side, an open ended cylinder in the low pressure side of the casing, a-pair .of oppositely disposed pistons slidably mounted in said cylinder, auxiliary valves operated by said pistons, an inlet port in said-casing, one of said auxiliary valves separating the inlet port from the low pressure side of the casing, a float chamher in said casing adapted to receive liquid under ingpiston having a passageway therethrough Joining the float Chamber with the space in the cylinder between the pistons, a bucket adapted to float in the float chamber and receive liquid therein for sinking the bucket when the liquid level in the chamber increases beyond a predeand a pilot valve operated by said bucket to control the. pressure in the cylinder.

able in said chamber connected to said auxiliary valve for actuating said valve, means providing a passageway joining the inlet compartment with the piston chamber, a container in said inlet compartment adapted to float therein, said container receiving liquid therein to sink the container when said liquid reaches a predetermined level and a pilot valve operated by said container for controlling the pressure in said piston chamber whereby a sinking of the container effects an opening of the pilot valve thereby causing a change in pressure in the piston chamber to move the pistons for opening the auxiliary valve.

4. A valve comprising a casing having a float chamber, a liquid inlet and a liquid discharge opening, an open ended cylinder in said casing, a pair of oppositely disposed pistons slidable in the cylinder, a valve seat is spaced relation from each end of said cylinder, a valve carried by each piston for movement on and off of the valve seats, one of said valves separating the float chamber from the discharge opening and the other of said valves separating the inlet opening from the discharge opening, means defining a passageway joining the space in the cylinder between the pistons with the float chamber and a float operated pilot valve controlling the pressure in said space to operate said pistons.

5. A valve comprising a casing having an inlet compartment and an outlet compartment in the top portion thereof and a float chamber in the bottom portion thereof communicating with the inlet compartment, an open ended cylinder fixedly mounted in the outlet compartment, a pair of oppositely disposed pistons slidable in said cylinder, auxiliary valves connected to said pistons respectively separating the inlet compartment from the outlet compartment and the float chamber from the outlet compartment, a'bucket in said float chamber adapted to float therein and receive liquid therefrom to sink the bucket when the liquid level in the float chamber exceeds a predetermined level and a pilot valve carried by the bucket for separating the space in the cylinder between the pistons from the float chamber whereby a sinking of the bucket opens the pilot valve, the space between the pistons is subjected to inlet pressure, the pistons are: forced apart and the auxiliary valves are opened until the bucket again floats to close the pilot valve.

6..A liquid actuated valve comprising a casing defining a float chamber, means giving entrance to the top portion of the casing, walls in said casing deflning a separate compartment therein, valve seats in the top and bottom of said compartment, an open ended cylinder in said compartment, a pair of oppositely disposed pistons slidably mounted in said cylinder, poppet valves secured to said pistons having head portions adapted to seat on said valve seats, a passageway through one of said poppet valves joining the float chamber with the space between the pistons, a bucket mounted in said float chamber, a needle valve carried by said bucket adapted to close said passageway and a tube in said bucket extending into spaced relation from the bottom thereof for passageway to operate. the piston'for opening the poppet valves. v

7. A liquid operated automatic valve comprising a two-piece housing composed of an open topped lower member defining a float chamber and an upper member having an inlet compartment and a discharge compartment, said inlet compartment communicating with the float chamber, means defining a, vertical open ended cylinder in said discharge compartment, opposed pistons slidably mounted in said open ended cylinder, a poppet valve secured to the top piston for joining the inlet chamber with the discharge compartment, a second poppet valve secured to the bottom piston for joining the float chamber with the discharge compartment, said poppet valve secured to the bottom piston having a passageway therethrough communicating with the space between the pistons, a pilot valve in said fioatchamber adapted to close said py, a bucket in said float chamber adapted to float therein, a rod extending from the bottom of said bucket for carrying said pilot valve and an open ended tube surrounding said-rod and extending into said bucket.

8. A liquid operated automatic valve comprising a casing having an inlet compartment, a

. conveying liquid from the bucket through the float chamber for receiving liquid from the inlet 3 compartment and a discharge chamber separated from the inlet compartment and float chamber,

an. open ended cylinder in said discharge compartment, pistons slidable in said cylinder, auxiliary valves operated by said pistons for joining the inlet compartment with the discharge chamber and for joining the float chamber with the discharge chamber, a bucket adapted to float in the float chamber and receive liquid from said chamber when the liquid exceeds a predetermined level, a tube extending axially into said bucket and a pilot valve carried by said bucket in said tube, said auxiliary valve joining the discharge compartment with the float chamber having a passageway therethrough communicating with the space between the pistons and a valve seat at the end of said passageway for receiving the pilot valve whereby a floating of the bucket seals the space between the pistons from the inlet chamber while a sinking of the bucket joins the space between the pistons with thefioat chamber for subjecting said space to inlet pressure to force the pistons apart and open the auxiliary valves.

9. A liquid operated automatic valve comprising a bottom casing member defining an open topped float chamber, a top casing member having an inlet compartment communicating with the float chamber and a discharge compartment separated from the inlet compartment and float chamber, valve seats in the top and bottom of the discharge compartment, an open ended cylinder in said discharge compartment, a pair of opposed pistons slidable in said cylinder. P ppet valves carried by said pistons for operation on and ofl of said valve seats, means defining a passageway joining the space in the cylinder between the piston with the float chamber and a float'operated pilot valve in said float chamber cooperating with the passageway for joining the space in the cylinder between the pistons with the float chamber when the float is at a predetermined level to subject said space to inlet pressures for forcing the pistons toward the ends of the cylinder to open the poppet valves.

10. A liquid, operated automatic valve comprising a bottom casing member defining a float chamber, a top casing member secured to said bottom member and having an inlet and a discharge compartment therein, valve seats in the top and bottom walls of said discharge compartment, an open ended cylinder in said discharge compartment, pistons loosely mounted in said cylinder for seepage of liquid between the pistons and the cylinder, auxiliary valves carried by said pistons for operation on and oil of said valve seats, means defining a passageway joining the space in the cylinder between the pistons with the float chamber, and a float operated pilot valve adapted to open and close said passageway.

11. A liquid operated automatic valve comprising a float chamber adapted to receive liquid therein, an open topped container adapted to float in said float chamber, means defining a discharge compartment above said float chamber, an open ended cylinder in said discharge compartment, an inlet port at the top of said discharge compartment, a valve seat at the mouth of said port, a second valve seat in the bottom of said discharge compartment communicating with the float chamber, auxiliary valves slidably mounted in said cylinder for operation on and oil of said valve seats, means defining a passageway joining the space between the auxiliary valves with the float chamber, means defining a passageway joining said space with the discharge chamber and a pilot valve carried by said open topped container for opening and closing said last mentioned passageway, thereby to cause opening and closing of said auxiliary valves.

12. A liquid operated automatic valve comprising a bottom casing member defining a float chamber, an inlet port communicating with the float chamber for supplying liquid thereto. a bucket adapted to float in the float chamber,,a tube extending from the top of said chamber into said bucket, a top casing member defining a discharge chamber, an inlet port'at the top of said chamber, a valve seat in the mouth of said inlet port, means defining a passageway joining the float chamber with the discharge chamber, a valve seat in said passageway, an open ended cylinder in said discharge chamber, auxiliary valves slidably mounted in said cylinder for operation on and off of said valve seats, a rod carried by said bucket extending into the space between the auxiliary valves, means defining a bleeder passageway joining the space in the cylinder between the valves with the discharge chamber and a needle valve carried by said rod for opening and closing said bleeder passageway.

13. A liquid operated automatic valve comprising a casing member defining an open topped float chamber, an inlet port at the top of said casing member for supplying liquid to the float chamber, a cover member'secured on top of said casing member having a bore therethrough and a downturned leg portion extending therein in front of said port, a top casing member secured on said cover having an inlet port at the top thereof and a discharge port at the side thereof, said top casing member defining a discharge compartment between said ports, a valve seat in said discharge compartment secured in the bore of said cover member, a second valve seat in said discharge compartment secured in the mouth of said inlet port, an open ended cylinder in said discharge chamber, opposed pistons slidably mounted in said cylinder, an auxiliary valve secured to one of said pistons for operation on and oil of the valve seat in the mouth of the inlet port, said valve having a bleeder passageway joining the space between the pistons with the discharge chamber, a second auxiliary valve secured to the other of said pistons for operation on and off of the valve seat secured in the bore of the cover member, said valve having a passageway joining the space between the pistons with the float chamber, a bucket in said float chamber adapted to float and sink therein, a rod secured to the bottom of said bucket and extending into the space between the pistons, a needle valve head carried on the top end of said rod for opening and closing the bleeder passageway and an open ended tube secured in the bore of said cover member and extending into said bucket around said rod.

14. A liquid operated automatic valve comprising a casing defining a float chamber, a bucket adapted to float in said chamber, an inlet port for said chamber, means defining a compartment above the float chamber, an inlet port and a discharge port for said compartment, a valve seat in said inlet port, said compartment having a passageway communicating with the float chamber, a valve seat in said passageway, auxiliary valves in said compartment operable on and ofi of said valve seats, a pilot valve carried by said bucket to actuate said auxiliary valves, a by-pass joining the inlet port for the float chamber with the inlet port to the compartment and a check valve in said bypass.

15. A liquid operated pressure valve comprising a housing having two inlet ports subjected to pressure and an outlet port, a. float chamber communicating with an inlet port, a float in said chamber adapted to rise and fall therein in response to variations in liquid level, independent auxiliary valves separating each inlet port from the outlet port, independent pistons for operating each auxiliary valve, a single cylinder slidably housing both pistons, and means carried by said float to vent the space in the cylinder between the pistons with an inlet port thereby utilizing the inlet pressure to force the pistons apart and open the auxiliary valves whenever said float moves to a predetermined position.

16. A high capacity liquid operated valve comprising a housing defining a float chamber, a float adapted to rise and fall in said chamber, said housing having a plurality of pressure inlets and an outlet, at least one of said inlets communicating with the float chamber, auxiliary valves separating the float chamber and each of said inlets from the outlet, pistons for actuating said auxiliary valves, means defining a passageway joining the float chamber with each piston, and a float-controlled pilot valve for controlling the pressure on each piston whereby liquid collected in the float chamber will move the float to a predetermined position for actuating the pilot valve to change the pressure on the pistons and cause the pressure differential between the inlets and outlet to open the auxiliary valves to discharge the liquid rapidly without necessity of moving all of the liquid-through the float chamber and whereby said discharge will continue only as long as liquid in the float chamber maintains the predetermined position of the float.

LEWIS O. GUNDERSON. OLAND W. CAR-RICK. 

